Colombia: Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins Had Drugs in His System When He Died

Fans of U.S. band Foo Fighters place lit candles outside Casa Medina Hotel where the band's drummer Taylor Hawkins was found dead, in Bogota, Colombia, on March 26, 2022. (Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images)

Authorities in Colombia said that they confirmed the presence of drugs in Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins’s system when he died over the weekend.

“Preliminary results of the urine toxicology test indicate the presence of 10 different substances: THX (Marijuana), tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and opioids, among others,” a statement from Colombia’s attorney general said on Twitter on Saturday. “The National Institute of Forensic Medicine continues to conduct the necessary medical studies to ascertain the cause of death.”

The drummer’s cause of death so far remains unknown. Hawkins died while on tour with the band, according to a statement released by the Foo Fighters.

“The Attorney General’s Office will continue to investigate and will duly inform the findings of forensic examinations in due time,” the attorney general’s office continued.

The Foo Fighters issued a statement following Hawkins’s death. Hawkins joined the group in 1997 after performing with singer Alanis Morrissette.

“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins,” the band wrote in a statement. “His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever. Our hearts go out to his wife, children, and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”

A number of musicians and celebrities mourned his passing on social media over the past weekend.

“I’m greatly saddened today after hearing the news about TAYLOR HAWKINS. He was one of those absolutely rare people ya just couldn’t help feeling good around him. You see he loved his family and life thru and thru… And he was a ripping drummer… TAYLOR you will be missed,” wrote Joe Perry, the longtime Aerosmith guitarist, on Twitter.

Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters performs at Innings Festival at Tempe Beach Park in Tempe, Ariz., on Feb, 26 2022. (Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

“Taylor Hawkins 1972-2022. Our deepest sympathies to Taylor’s family, his fans, and of course his band,” wrote the Smashing Pumpkins in a statement.

Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose said: “Shocked n’ saddened to hear of the passing of Taylor Hawkins. He was a really great guy, drummer n’ family man. Was always great to see him! Was looking forward to seeing him n’ everyone in Daytona. Truly saddened. My deepest condolences to his family, the Foo Fighters n’ their fans.”

Ozzy Osbourne added on social media: “[Hawkins] was truly a great person and an amazing musician. My heart, my love and my condolences go out to his wife, his children, his family, his band and his fans. See you on the other side.”